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Selection process

Upon receipt of the Optometry application and transcripts, the Admissions Committee will conduct an initial review of your file. After the initial review, qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. Interview notification will be complete by the end of November. Interviews are conducted in January and will consist of an interview with faculty and members of the profession, round table discussion with our students and a tour of our facility. The interview is required and is a contributing factor in the admission decision. It allows the selection committee to assess essential skills and traits which may not be reflected in the application.

Not all applicants will receive an interview. Unfortunately, applicants who are not invited for an interview will no longer be considered for admission.
In the interview, consideration is given to knowledge of the profession, motivation toward a career in optometry, ability to think clearly and logically, poise, self-confidence, warmth and verbal expression of ideas.

Selection criteria

If selected for an interview, the Admissions Committee uses the following criteria in determining an applicant’s academic and personal qualifications for admission:

Academic requirements

Undergraduate academic record - academic aptitude and performance

OAT scores

Non-academic requirements

CASPer

Interviews

Academic awards

Non-academic awards

Work experience

Volunteer experience

Optometry-related experience

Job shadowing an Optometrist

Confidential Assessment Forms (References)

In addition, a Criminal Records Check Vulnerable Sector (CRC), and proof of immunizations will be required if admission to the program is given.

From these requirements, the committee is looking for:

Evidence of ability to handle a course load of five courses (plus labs) per term, throughout their undergraduate education

Service to the community and university, work experience and interpersonal skills

To ensure an understanding of the profession of Optometry, we strongly encourage job shadowing with an optometrist which means observing eye exam

Proof of academic ability and achievement as well as personal qualities, leadership, integrity, motivation, initiative, social awareness, well-rounded background, personality, ability to work with others and knowledge of the profession

All offers of admission are conditional upon successful completion of the current academic year and requirements. Students admitted must maintain their level of academic performance. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to deny admission to an already admitted student if their academic performance falls below acceptable standards.

Profile of past first-year students

Applicants

2018

2017

2016

2015

Total

260

265

250

286

Enrolled Students

2018

2017

2016

2015

First year class size

90

90

90

90

Gender

Women

63

67

63

59

Men

24

23

27

32

Undeclared

3

Overall Average

Average

88

85

86

87

Range

81-95

79-94

79 - 96

80 - 95

Optometry Admission Test (OAT) Scores

Average

380

370

370

370

Factors not considered by the admissions committee:

University or Program of Study - The Admissions Committee does not look at the university or the program in science you choose to select

No preference is shown to applicants at any particular level of training. However, a minimum of three years in a science program (in the third year when applying) is required

Age, sex, race, religion, home province and sexual orientation are not factors considered in the selection process